Character Analysis: The Glass Castle
“Have I ever let you down?” he asked Brian and me and then turned and walked away.
In a voice so low that Dad didn’t hear him, Brian said, “Yes.” p. 78
Throughout The Glass Castle the Walls family is depicted in horrible situations of starvation, poverty, and desperation. The Walls family is brought to each of these moments by choices that the parents make. And because of that, each and every one of these moments could have been avoided, had Rex and Rose Mary made better choices for themselves and their family, thus improving the state of their entire lives.
“So what’s it worth?” I asked.
“That doesn’t matter,” Mom said.
“How come?”
“Because we’re not selling it.”
She was keeping it, she explained, to replace the wedding ring her mother had given her, the one Dad had pawned shortly after they got married.
“But Mom,” I said, “that ring could get us a lot of food.”
“That’s true,” Mom said, “but it could also improve my self-esteem. And at times like these, self-esteem is even more vital than food.”
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My art piece has a split pathway, one side leading towards New York CIty (the Walls children’s idea of a perfect life), the other leading towards a run down, dismal house (my idea of a house they might have lived in). Along the pathway to the house are choices Rex and Mary Wallls made about their lives and how to raise their children. Along the path to New York are choices they could’ve made instead, or choices that might have led them and their children to a better life. The idea came from the thought that maybe, if they could have seen where their lives led, Rex and Rose Mary would have made different decisions, that maybe had different decisions been made early on Rex Walls (in all his glory) wouldn’t have been homeless in New York dying of tuberculosis, and Maureen wouldn’t have been sent to a hospital for stabbing her
Character Analysis: The Glass Castle
222 Words | 1 Pages“Not every dream you have will come true,” was stated by the actor Ellen Pompeo in the show Grey’s Anatomy ;therefore, it stated not everything you plan will be successful. In addition, it is more convenient to be realistic about your future,for its the easier and safer choice. Everybody wants to become a millionaire ,but being realistic ,that is nearly as impossible as winning the lottery. For example, in the novel “The Glass Castle” the father of the author always wanted to build this marvelous house made of glass.
How To Swim In The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls
97 Words | 1 Pages“If you don 't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim.” (66) This is Jeannette’s father Rex teaching her how to swim by throwing her back into the water after sinking the first time. It is also a good representation of Rose Mary and Rex’s parenting skills insteading of coddling their children they present them with challenging them, some even life threatening, that the children are faced with. Jeannette Walls’ shows very little personal reflection in The Glass Castle though she does show a lot of detail in events, written like a piece of journalism.
Parental Influence In The Glass Castle
1956 Words | 8 PagesParental Influence Parents are the biggest influence upon their children. From the time a child is born to the time they leave the household, the values that the parents hold are instilled into their children. Parents are required to make crucial decisions about how to raise their children in order to guide them through the inevitable obstacles and hardships of life. In The Glass Castle, many would argue the lack of care and responsibility the Walls had for their children. The author, Jeannette Walls, uses Rex and Mary Walls to demonstrate that their strong traits of non-conformity, self-sufficiency and perseverance are passed on to their children, allowing them to develop to their full potential.
Examples Of Conflict In The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls
1273 Words | 6 PagesSuccess: An Escape from Privation Inevitably, the conflicts people face at multiple points in their life is a determining factor in shaping individuals into the person they will eventually become. Namely, these conflicts direct people 's behavior over the course of time; contributing to a person’s ability to achieve success. In particular, Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle is an honest depiction of her life and the conflicts that arise throughout her state of impoverishment, as well as the success that stems from her hardships.
The Glass Castle Parenting Style Analysis
937 Words | 4 PagesIn the memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, the Walls family is considered homeless and they are constantly moving from place to place. They constantly find themselves either with a somewhat decent amount of money or at times, no money at all. Jeannette, being one of four children always follows along with and listens to her parents and eventually notices that their family does things very differently than most other families. As Jeannette explains her childhood and how she is being raised by her parents, it is clear to see how different Rex and Rosemary’s parenting style is compared to the parenting style of other parents. Since their parenting style is so different, it seems that it affects their children in a negative way throughout their childhood, but in the end it makes Jeannette become a better and more successful person.
Social Work System In The Glass Castle
849 Words | 4 PagesIt is evident that her childhood may have impacted her in a more severe psychological way. The book The Glass Castle is a very interesting narrative. The author Jeanette Walls is able to bring new light to circumstances that many people choose to ignore or overlook by writing about her own childhood. This gives the book a new perspective and allows the reader to gain insight.
The Glass Tower Character Analysis
864 Words | 4 PagesIn “The Glass Tower” by Reinaldo Arenas, Alfredo, the main character, escapes his native country and currently lives in Miami. He is a writer that tirelessly goes to endless parties in his honor while being unable to write a story involving characters that are begging to be written down. Alfredo attends a big party where his characters, floating in his head, appear to come alive and do as they please. Alfredo’s identity is shown to be lacking and ungenuine due to his struggle to express his thoughts, being financially unstable, and how he wants to appear to others.
The Glass Castle Symbolism
1211 Words | 5 PagesAs a child, Jeannette Walls moves around constantly with her family. The Walls family would move to different desert towns and settle as long as Mr. Walls can hold a job. When sober, Mr. Walls represents a charismatic father who loves his children and teaches them important life skills. He encourages imagination inside of the Walls kids and often captures their dream and creativity. Together, the family had planned to build a glass castle that contains all of the family’s hope and inspiration.
Rhetorical Devices In The Glass Castle
1574 Words | 7 Pages“If you don 't want to sink, you better figure out how to swim” (41). Although Rex Walls was not always an admirable father and role model, he did make an essential point while teaching his daughter, Jeannette, how to swim. In life, not everything comes without resistance. As Jeannette Walls describes throughout her life story, sometimes people are forced to face hardships that make them question their whole life. However, as seen in her book, it is important to learn to take those hardships and use them to shape one’s future for the better.
The Glass Castle Literary Analysis
1290 Words | 6 PagesKai Sebastian English 10H Mrs. Denchfield 8/27/15 10H Summer Assignment: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls 1.“‘We could live like this forever,’ I said. ‘I think we’re going to,’ she said.” (Walls 18) This is near the beginning of the books between the two siblings of the narrator (Jeannette Walls) and her older sister (Lori Walls) as they are lying underneath the stars on a clear night in the desert. The reason for these exchange of words was the fact they were on one of their dad’s
Struggle Of Life Exposed In Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castle
758 Words | 4 PagesPaul Ryan once said, “Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.” Individuals must strive upon excellence based on the society they are placed in. Watching how others react can help one become the best they can be. Throughout The Glass Castle, Jeannette is exposed to society by her parents. Her parents, Rex and Rose Mary, see society in different means than how others perceive it.
Argumentative Essay On The Glass Castle
1150 Words | 5 PagesThe Glass Castle Argumentative Essay The memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, is an inspirational, eye opening, and a giggling type of story. Although there are some problems in this story that she encounters in her early years, she uses these problems to better herself for what may lay ahead of her. I am writing about what I think of her parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls, and if they are acceptable parents, or inadequate parents to Jeannette and her siblings Lori, Brian, and Maureen. I, however, do not agree that Rex and Rose Mary Walls are acceptable parents.
Jeannette Walls: The Symbolism Of The Glass Castle
1118 Words | 5 PagesOnce he finished the prospector and we struck it rich, he’d start work on our glass castle” (25). Walls’ innocence and optimism for the creation of the Glass Castle is indicated through her belief that Rex really is on the verge of finding gold and building the Glass Castle. In reality, he was out drinking all day, spending money that could have been used to feed Walls and her siblings. She still thinks that her father will follow through on his promises, and in doing so bring her happiness. She is unaware of his deception, which is becoming increasingly damaging to his family, as they have trouble affording food.
Reflection On The Glass Castle By Jeannette Walls
799 Words | 4 PagesThe Glass Castle is the life story of a girl, Jeannette Walls, and her siblings who grew up in poverty unnecessarily because of their parents’ irresponsibility. One of its themes is that strength and perseverance can significantly improve your chance at success and your future. The Walls children did not allow their childhood struggles prevent them from creating better and brighter futures for themselves. They all grew up impressively sane considering their living conditions.
The Looking Glass Wars Character Analysis
951 Words | 4 PagesThe Wars Inside Alyss Why do people go through conflicts? When people go through conflicts they change and they become better people. Every character has a chance to make something out of their conflict and the reader sees this in the novel. In The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, he shows that Alyss goes through many conflicts, and how it changes her as a person. Alyss goes through conflicts to help make her stronger and grow as a person.
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